All posts by Beth and Carolina

10 Interior Design Trends We’re Using in All Our Projects

May 7, 2018The Pulp EditBeth and Carolina

After spending the spring launching new hardware, our fabric collection, Pulp Design Studios for S. Harris, and visiting High Point Market to shop for clients, we’ve had plenty of time to explore new trends in the interior design industry. We’re always looking to travel, fashion, art and interiors for inspiration so we pulled from each pool to select our 10 favorite trends heading into May 2018…

The Top 10 Interior Design Trends of May 2018

It’s May which means Met Gala! We are constantly turning to the fashion world for inspiration and love the Handmaids Tale vibes from this year’s imaginative Catholic theme at the Metropolitan Museum. Photographed by Philip-Lorca diCorcia for Vogue makes us more inspired by the Vatican than we knew possible.

We couldn’t have a trend round-up without one of our favorite patterns from our licensed collection, Pulp Design Studios for S. Harris. We’ll get into our love of blues and greens later, but we can’t get enough of the artistic feel that makes our Old Cairo fabric so alluring!

With so many exciting projects in the works, we are designing up a custom furnishing storm. That means putting the finishing touches on with adventurous and bold hardware! All of the Starburst Pull finishes have been taking our clients’ furnishings to the next level.

You heard it here first — the Eye of Ra coasters are back in stock and better than ever! We just got in a new epoxy finish that is bringing major life to all of our entertaining and barware dreams!

When has a floating marble vanity ever been a bad idea? We are in love with the high-impact effect of this space, featured in Architectural Digest. We designed a floating marble vanity for a client in Laredo and are waiting on pins and needles to see it installed!

If you know Pulp, than you know we love to make a statement on our interior design clients’ walls. We’re big fans of a bold wallcovering, so we love everything about the idea of an art piece-like wall mural, like this space featured in Interior Design’s April 2018 issue.

We are constantly turned to Elle Decor to find inspiration, and were so excited to see one of our favorite Phillip Jeffries wallcoverings featured in the April/May issue’s “What’s Hot” section. We are so incredibly honored to have our textile collection featured alongside the Coffered Wood wallcovering in one of our favorite publications.

Anytime we find ourselves taken aback by a lighting fixture, we know it’s something good. Photographed by Stephen Kent for Elle Decor, we are all about the concept of a ceiling sculpture.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again — blues and greens are the new neutral and we couldn’t be happier. We’ve been seeing this color trend everywhere from furniture to tile and especially love the artisan feel of the Euphoria tile by Sonoma. This space, photographed by Stephan Julliard for Elle Decor has us feeling blue in the very best way possible.

Details, details, details… We love seeing unexpected surfaces with beautiful and intricate details, like this door photographed by Simon Upton for Elle Decor. Design is all about making a statement, whether understated or loud, and every space and surface has potential to be transformed into something unique.

We’ve been using so many of these trends in our current projects and can’t wait to share how we’re bringing our favorite inspirations into our client’s homes! Stay tuned…

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The Pulp Edit

May 7, 2018Featured Products CalloutBeth and Carolina

Before + After: The Traditional Home Dallas Showhouse Gets a Pulp Transformation

May 3, 2018Pulp Design Workbefore and aftersBeth and Carolina

A Modern Entry for Traditional Home

Kicking off May the right way with fresh Pulp projects in the press! We are so excited to see the entry we designed for the Traditional Home Dallas Showhouse in print in the publication’s April/May issue! It’s been a crazy month getting to see our work and products featured in two of our very favorite shelter publications… pinch us!

We’ve haven’t stopped loving our Showhouse space since we started the project last summer, so seeing it on newsstands is an extra treat. We got to act as our own clients when we designed this space, so we went full Pulp when it came to the inspiration behind this undeniably bold and adventurous foyer! Be sure to check out the feature after you take a tour!

Before + After: The Pulp Entry

“The entry is the place that sets the tone for the rest of the home, so we wanted to create a space that welcomed guests in with boldness and flair, just as we do when we design a client’s home!” — Beth Dotolo

“We created function in the midst of the jaw-dropping aesthetics by designing a chaise lounge, made by Again & Again, with a statement S. Harris fabric. It made the space really livable, and of course created the perfect spot for a photo.” — Carolina Gentry

“We carefully sourced each element in the space with the intention of creating impact and energy no matter where you look. The Bridget Beari grasscloth wallcovering packs the perfect Pulp punch, but keeps the space feeling balanced.” — Beth Dotolo

“We wanted this space to exemplify what we do for our clients — custom furnishings, accessories that add personality and function, and a design that’s just as adventurous as stylish as the homeowner.” — Carolina Gentry

Our entire experience designing the entry for the Dallas Showhouse was nothing short of amazing. It was an unforgettable opportunity getting to support the Alzeihmer’s Association through the design community. Take a full tour of the space here and shop entry essentials !

The Founders Picks: 14 Essentials for a Spring Refresh

April 30, 2018Entertaining + Home Living, Shopping Guidefounders picksBeth and Carolina

Interior Design Must-Haves for a Spring Refresh

Following the launch of Pulp Design Studios for S. Harris in March, the month of April was packed with client projects and design trips for the Pulp team. Inspiration was plentiful as were new trends and interior design treasures as we kicked off new projects, shopped the highs and lows of High Point Market and celebrated seeing our hard work published in two major shelter publications. And at the end of it all, we found 14 new things that we just couldn’t wrap the month without sharing…

Herbivore Calm Bath Salts | 2. Naseberry Eye Exfoliant | 3. Martin Sculpture | 4. Navigli Fabric, Salt and Pepper | 5. Nike Roshe One | 6. Madden Mirror | 7. Coconut Butter Oatmeal Recipe

Julius Table Lamp | 2. Peru: The Cookbook | 3. Hidalgo Fabric, Ebonite | 4. Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash | 5. Clyde May’s Alabama Style Whiskey | 6. f. is for frank Skull Studs | 7. Alder & Co Aoyama Incense

Coastal with a Pulp Twist

April 30, 2018Featured Products CalloutBeth and Carolina

Tour the Lakehouse Retreat Featured in Modern Luxury Interiors!

April 26, 2018News + AnnouncementsBeth and Carolina

Hot off the press! Our Lakehouse Retreat project was just published in the outdoor issue of Modern Luxury Interiors Texas! We designed this McQueeney, TX home for a longtime Pulp client, so we are especially excited to see this dreamy vacation home in print. What did the editors have to say about the home? See for yourself!

This home was one of our biggest transformations to date. We gave this dated lakeside home the ultimate example of the Pulp touch in a whole-home, floor-to-ceiling renovation. The result is a hotel-like vacation home designed to accommodate 16 guests in style. The house exemplifies our client’s style while feeling like the perfect place to host guests. If you don’t believe just how much of a transformation interior design can accomplish, behold the before and afters…

Entryway

Kitchen

“The kitchen is the heart of the home — the place everyone is and wants to be. We created an open and bright space that would be perfect for entertaining and spending time with family.” — Carolina V. Gentry

Dining Room

This space exemplifies the way we brought our client’s passions to life in the home, while keeping things practical. The dining chairs are covered in a wipeable vinyl to keep them beautiful as guests run in off the lake.” — Beth Dotolo

Living Room

Get Your Vacation Fix — Tour the Entire Home

All the Trends You Should Know About from High Point Market 2018

April 23, 2018Design InsiderBeth and Carolina

We’re back in the studios after a busy week sourcing new furnishings for our interior design clients at High Point Market. We came back with our hands full of new treasures and a list of favorites for clients to come. After six days scoping the depths of the showrooms and sitting in every piece of furniture we loved for clients, we formed our lists of the best new trends to hit market and the ones we’re seeing starting to stick around.

The Top Interior Design Trends

TIGHT BACK SOFAS: Everyone is loving tight back sofa, from furniture manufacturers themselves to our own design clients. We noticed tight back furniture is nearly every showroom we visited this market. CR Laine, Four Hands and Berhardt to name just a few!

BLACK FOREST MARBLE: Bernhardt debuted an exquisite new collection of furnishings with dramatic and bold Black Forest marble. We always love the luxe look of marble, but this takes it to a whole new level.

EQUESTRIAN VIBES: Horses were in as many places as furniture… seriously everywhere! Accessories, art, books, you name it — equestrian inspiration was plentiful. CR Laine and Bernhardt did this trend well!

BLUES + GREENS: Blush pink had it’s moment, but this is the year of blues and greens. We love a classic neutral, but have been loving seeing cool blues and greens used as the new neutral. We loved this artful wall at Trowbridge and were inspired again at Julian Chichester!

ANTIQUE MIRRORS: We were on the search all weekend for stylish antique mirrors for our Modern Mediterranean project and were excited to find so many of our favorite vendors, like these from Julian Chichester, had such well-done options!

DELICATE METAL ACCENTS: We love giving our clients pieces that have interesting details, whether statement or subtle, and noticed tons of furnishings featuring spherical based metal accents. Four Hands and Mr. Brown had a couple of our favorites!

ETHEREAL SCULPTURAL ELEMENTS: We found lighting, furniture, wall art and accessories drawing us all in from all angles with an artistic feel. We are all seeking comfort in uncertain times, and our interiors are trending this way with a higher focus on comfort and softer edges, shown by SkLo and Carvers Guild!

The Design Trends Still Happening

SCULPTURAL FORM: We hope this sticks around always and forever. Adventurous form and unique style is what we’re all about, so we love this trend, especially these lamps at Visual Comfort and sculptures from Noir.

VINTAGE INFLUENCE: We saw vintage vibes in some of our favorite lighting, art and vignettes from the weekend. We love an underlying vintage vibe in a cool piece that can still feel modern. Exhibit A: Kelly Wearstler for Visual Comfort.

CURVED FURNITURE: Speaking of vintage vibes, curved furniture is a trend here to stay! We were so inspired by the vignettes anchored around curved pieces from Julian Chichester and Bernhardt.

High Point is one of our favorite events of the year because we’re able to be the first to get our hands on new products in the design world for our clients. We’ve already started designing our favorites from this year’s market into our projects. Stay tuned to see how we use these trends in new spaces…

High Point Market Trends

April 23, 2018Featured Products CalloutBeth and Carolina

First Look at an Eclectic Great Room in San Antonio

April 12, 2018Pulp Design WorkBeth and Carolina

While the majority of our projects are located in Dallas and Seattle, we work on projects all over the country, ranging from guest bathroom transformations in Portland to Lakehouse retreats in McQueeney, TX. In this edition of designing from afar, we’re taking you on a tour of a project we just installed in San Antonio through each step of our three-step design process.

Step One: Consultation and Intake

Q: WHO IS THE CLIENT AND WHAT IS THEIR SCOPE OF WORK?

Our client lives in San Antonio, but is originally from Laredo and came to us through referral — we love our referral clients! She had seen the work we did for her friends and family and after deciding she wanted a change in her family’s great room, she contacted Pulp to come work our magic. Like many of our clients, she knew she wanted something fresh, but didn’t know how to create the right look on her own.

We selected furnishings and accessories for the entire great room, including the living area, parts of the dining room and outdoor space.

Q: WHY DID THE CLIENT DECIDE TO HIRE AN INTERIOR DESIGNER RATHER THAN TAKING THE PROJECT ON THEMSELVES?

This client has seen Pulp’s work in the flesh before and knew the value of hiring a designer through word of mouth referrals. Beyond having seen and loved our work, this client knew hiring a designer was the best way to get the look she wanted, but better.

Step Two: The Design Phase

To us, good design means personal, intentional and functional. We have an in-depth intake process where we really get to know who our clients are, their vision for their home and how they “do life” in each room. After we’ve learned all that we can about our clients, we begin collaborating on the design between our offices in Dallas and Seattle.

Q: WHAT IS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE NEW DESIGN?

The existing space was very traditional and characteristic of “South Texas” style. We kept a touch of the Southwestern roots and mixed in transitional elements that made the space feel eclectic and well-traveled. Sky-scraping ceilings and touches of rustic among contemporary architecture made this space the perfect place to create a home for our clients’ many collected accessories.

Q: WHAT WAS A UNIQUE DESIGN CHALLENGE AND HOW IS PULP SOLVING THE PROBLEM?

We designed this entire project without actually seeing the house. Our client sent us a walk through video at the beginning and we worked around what we were able to see to create to-scale plans that were presented over video calls. In true Pulp fashion, making it to San Antonio for the install was an adventure in itself. Cue canceled flights, early morning dashes through airports and the Pulp team making to the install not just on time, but early.

Step Three: Install + Execution

Q: WHAT IS THE CLIENT MOST EXCITED FOR?

These clients let us take full control of the project and were blown away by the design we delivered. They absolutely loved all of the accessories we brought and were so happy to have an updated, comfortable space that looked amazing. It was so rewarding to hear how impressed our clients were after seeing how everything came together during install.

Stay tuned for the final reveal of this space and be sure to follow along on Instagram for design updates!

Find Us at High Point Market!

April 9, 2018News + AnnouncementsBeth and Carolina

High Point Market is days away and the Pulp team is gearing up for another great weekend at one of our favorite interior design trips of the year. We are currently working on projects ranging from consultation phase to installs, and always take full advantage of the opportunity to source some of the coolest and most exclusive furnishings for our clients, regardless of the design phase!

Beyond doing sit test after sit test to find the most comfortable pieces for our clients and scouring the depths of showrooms for new Pulp-approved pieces for projects in-progress, we’ll be speaking and hosting a number of exciting events. We want to see you, here’s where you can find us…

High Point Market Events

Our freshly launched licensed collection of textiles, Pulp Design Studios for S. Harris, will be making its official public debut at our preview party on Sunday, April 15! We can’t wait to show off our hard work and hear the design communities response to the line. Plus… champagne and brunch bites!

If you’ve ever wanted to go behind-the-scenes of marketing and branding for interior design businesses, this is your chance! We’ll be sharing an inside look into brand strategy and marketing for ROI.

We’re so excited to join such an amazing panel of designers to discuss what “pretty” means in the world of interior design. With styles and trends changing faster than the seasons, this is bound to be a lively discussing on the way we perceive “pretty” interiors

We can’t wait to see you there! Our special events don’t stop at Hight Point — stay up-to-date on our travels and design events here!

Wherever You Are

We work all across the country, designing primary residences, pied-à-terres, and vacation homes, for our clients near and far.

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